A woman in Terrengganu was just going about her day, checking her mail when she saw a letter addressed to her by the LHDN. The letter stated that her ‘deceased’ husband, Amran bin Mohamed, has outstanding debts with the government agency.
Source: Facebook
According to the letter, Amran owed the government RM1,728.50. Since Zakiah was listed as Amran’s beneficiary, it is now her debt. When the letter went viral on Facebook, many netizens were upset on her behalf.
Source: Facebook
Many had the opinion that they should just halal-kan the debt. However, according to Section 106 of the Income Tax Act 1967, the IRB is legally empowered to collect dues from the dead through the next-of-kin. So even death will not spare taxpayers in Malaysia.
Hence, many netizens urged Zakiah to send a formal request for waiver for tax clearance… But here’s the thing, Zakiah’s husband is not even dead!
Amran Mohamed is alive and well, albeit very confused. Well you would be too, if the government and the rest of the internet thought you already hit the bucket.
Source: The Sundaily
“The letter was signed by Terengganu LHDN tax collections officer on July 25. I am as shocked as anybody else to receive such a letter as I am pretty much alive and well,” Amran was quoted by Berita Harian.
Amran is a 45-year-old auxiliary policeman whom works with Petronas. Amran said he had never skipped tax payments, as his salary is deducted monthly. So where did the debt come from? Amran has no idea, and apparently the LHDN has no clue either! Nevertheless, the agency admitted that there was error in the data form, and that they were negligent in determining the status of the taxpayer.
Thus, LHDN apologized about the matter and stated that appropriate actions would be taken to prevent such oversight from happening again.
Well, let’s hope they stay true to their word, cause the last thing we Malaysians need is to pay more taxes out of thin air.
Also read: Malaysian Police Rated the Best in ASEAN,” Says Deputy Prime Minister
